More than half of the cantons expect shortages, some of which are high. This is according to an evaluation by the SDA news agency. The range between the cantons is wide, given the 24 estimates available so far for 2023 shows.
14 cantons are expected to be in the red. Most of the money is missing with 568 million francs in the canton of Zurich. Geneva expects a minus of 420 million francs, Vaud with minus 227 million francs. Aargau, Glarus, Graubünden, Jura, Neuenburg Nidwalden, Schaffhausen, St. Gallen, Ticino, Thurgau and Uri also budget with a deficit.
Train great again
As almost always, the canton of Zug is in the best position – with an expected surplus of more than 250 million francs. Basel-Stadt wants to take out 66 million francs more than it spends. Bern estimates a surplus of 114 million.
However, that could be a waste – because this year the millions of the National Bank (SNB) are under threat. This makes the calculations for the tax authorities even more difficult. For the Geneva government councilor Nathalie Fontanet, the impending loss of SNB funds should not be underestimated. “In times of crisis, this has consequences for budgets. The deficits already reported by some cantons are growing and the fragile balance achieved by other cantons is being called into question.”
Too many crises for a clean budget
“We slid from one crisis to another,” said the Glarner Landammann Benjamin Mühlemann (FDP) at the presentation of his canton’s budget.
The budget process took place in an “extremely difficult environment with many unknowns,” said the canton of Thurgau in its 2023 estimate. These include the uncertain situation in Ukraine and the security of energy supply.
“It is difficult to prepare a budget in the face of so many crises,” admitted Vaud finance minister Valérie Dittli in late September. Governments are trying to anticipate the situation as best they can, says Nathalie Fontanet, Vice-Chairman of the Conference of Cantonal Financial Directors (FDK). “But you don’t always have the ability to directly influence all the destabilizing factors that arise.” The problem is that their effects can also accumulate.
Cantons had to be about the books
Many cantons have already adjusted their forecasts: Zurich only expected a minus of 113 million francs at the beginning of September. At the end of September, the deficit rose to CHF 568 million. Nevertheless, the canton awards its employees a cost of living of 3.5 percent, which costs about 75 million francs.
The Governing Council of Aargau wants to make up the shortfall of almost 200 million francs with millions from the balance sheet adjustment reserve. There are currently 722 million Swiss francs in this “special box” for bad times.
The same procedure in the canton of Nidwalden, which expects a deficit of CHF 16.7 million. Like many other cantons, he can close the gap with enough reserves. Nidwalden has equity of CHF 314 million. (SDA)